Iran denies death of kidnapped border guard in Pakistan

The execution of a kidnapped Iranian border guard by a Pakistani Islamist group is unconfirmed by Iran, reported IRNA, citing an Iranian official.

The Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Disciplinary Affairs Ali Abdollahi dismissed Jaish-ul-Adl's statement, saying "the report that one of five Iranian border guards was killed in Pakistan is not true and is not confirmed."

Abdollahi called on the media to avoid releasing such reports.

Five Iranian border guards were abducted in the Jakigour region in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province on Feb. 6 and taken to Pakistan.

Iranian officials held Pakistan accountable over the issue.

Jaish-ul-Adl, a Baluchi Islamist militant group has carried out a number of attacks against the state in recent years. They released a short statement on Twitter Feb. 26 claiming its "religious court" sentenced the five Iranian soldiers to death after reports that Iranian executed one of the relatives of the group's members in Iran.

Iranian media quoted Abdollahi as saying on Feb. 21 that Iran has sent a delegation to Pakistan's Balochistan to negotiate the release of the kidnapped soldiers.